Abandoned Souls

by Marianne Spitzer

  They were being buried side by side, and the pastor explained they would share one brass headstone. It was more than Marilyn could take, and she rushed back to the car. Kellie drove back to Marilyn’s house.

  “Mom will be angry I didn’t go to the luncheon, but I can’t take any more of this. No one else besides us and their killer knows why he killed the boys. If mom knew, she’d understand why this bothers me. I’ll have to tell them soon,” Marilyn dropped her head, and tears ran down her cheeks. “I should be dead, too.”

  “Don’t ever say that. You were fortunate to be left in the hands of a man who couldn’t or wouldn’t kill. Be grateful.” Kellie stood to put the tea kettle on and placed her hand on Marilyn’s shoulder. “Your parents will understand.”

  “I hope.”

  Kellie ignored the tea and prepared hot chocolate. She placed a cup in front of Marilyn, and she smiled up at Kellie. “Thanks. You remembered I’m a chocoholic.”

  #####

  Kellie and Marilyn made three copies of each page of Marilyn’s grandma’s journal. One for Marilyn’s parents, one for the sheriff, and one for her when she outlined and wrote her book. She doubted her parents wanted the journal, but concerned they might destroy it.

  “I think when I see my parents I may read them the contents of the journal from a copy saying I have the journal in a safe place. On the way home, we can stop at the bank, and I’ll put it in my safety deposit box along with the extra copies,” Marilyn said as she carefully put the copies and journal back into her small laptop bag.

  “Good idea, let’s ask the librarian about the family and see if there are records,” Kellie said.

  Marilyn explained they were looking for the names of the Carnfelders that lived in Prairieville before they abandoned their home.

  “Hmm, little is known about the family at all. They moved in before the town had a newspaper. I think a reporter did a story fifty years later on the anniversary of the town’s biggest mystery. I may be able to find that, give me a moment.” She typed away at her keyboard and said there is a story in an old paper. If it wasn’t destroyed by age, it would be on film.

  Marilyn and Kellie searched the film in the microfiche room. “I think I found it,” Marilyn said.

  Marilyn continued. “Here’s a grainy picture the reporter took of the family’s portrait that hangs in the house. It hurts my eyes trying to make out the faces, but the blurb lists the small boy as Andrew Carnfelder.”

  “Andrew,” Kellie murmured and felt a chill. She didn’t share her feeling with Marilyn to keep from frightening her. “Knowing his name will be a significant help.”

  Marilyn printed the page not sure if it would do any good, but she added it to her bag. “Maybe it’ll help us find this portrait when we visit the estate.”

  #####

  Marilyn’s mom wasn’t speaking to her. “She’s angry that I embarrassed her at the funeral. She told me I should be grateful I was alive and not buried next to the boys. I’ve never seen her this way. It must have stirred up as many memories for her as it did for me.” Marilyn bit her lip to keep from crying.

  The next few days flew by, and Kellie and Marilyn were watching the local news.

  “Still nothing new on the case,” Marilyn said. “The papers I have will do something I hope, but I’m not sure what.”

  “If nothing else, the families will know why their children died. I’m grateful they weren’t molested or slaughtered by a vengeful hand.”

  “You know Kellie, I was thinking about that. Remember I said I thought I heard two voices. It is possible Clifford Shuland was left to bury the bodies and kill me. He buried them as decently as possible and didn’t touch me. If he killed them, he would have killed me. A serial killer wouldn’t spare one child, would he? Shuland had to bury the boys to hide the evidence of what his partner did or he would have been charged with three murders. Who his partner was might be a question we’ll never answer.” She pulled her knees to her chest and hugged her legs.

  “We’ll solve what we can and the rest we can figure out even if we don’t have proof. Tomorrow is my last full day here. The two weeks went fast. Taylor is going to pick me up on Saturday morning to save you the trip not to mention I told her about the essential oil shop, and she has to see it. That leaves us tomorrow. We never did tear up the town did we?” Both young women laughed.

  “No, not that there are many places to party,” Marilyn answered.

  “You could come to Malone Springs. We have more places, but thanks to the published obituary, I’m going to have to lay low for a while. Randy’s fiancée can’t party in public. I wonder if I will see much of Randy’s mom. That’ll be hard.” Kellie threw up her hands.

  “Maybe you won’t see her often. We still have one more day, and we said we were going to splurge and go back to the burger place with the fantastic fries and hot fudge shakes. Yum,” Marilyn smiled.

  “Yes and one last trip to the abandoned cemetery. I need to see if Katrina May will speak to me and I want to tell her that I’ll be returning with more friends to help them all.” Kellie glanced at Marilyn.

  “Okay,” Marilyn said trying to smile.

  #####

  Arriving home stuffed with burgers, fries, malts, and pie, Kellie and Marilyn decided a walk would help them settle all the food. Marilyn looked at the sky and said, “The weatherman said we might get a smattering of rain, whatever that is, I think I’ll take my umbrella. Do you want one? I have two.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Kellie grabbed the umbrella as they headed out the door.

  Marilyn waited on the road while Kellie made her way down the hill to the graves under the bridge. She had barely made it under the bridge when a loud clap of thunder scared them both. Lightning flashed, and the rain began to come down in torrents. Marilyn ran down the hill to take cover under the bridge.

  “So much for a smattering of rain, he could have said there was a possibility of a storm. Oh my, I never thought I’d be back down here.” Marilyn walked to the edge of the cemetery close to the side of the bridge. She looked up and saw the rain had turned into a trickle. “The rain stopped, I’m going up the hill.”

  Marilyn stepped out from under the bridge when the thunder and rain returned with a vengeance. Wind blew and howled through the trees. Marilyn slipped rushing back down the hill and pressed up against the wall. “Kellie, what’s going on here?”

  “I think it’s a coincidence. I’m not sure spirits can affect the weather. Maybe I can communicate with Katrina May and find out.” Before she could say another word, they both heard a small voice.

  “I’m here, did you come to help?”

  “Katrina May?”

  “Yes, it’s me. Will you set us free?”

  Kellie took a deep breath and answered, “I’m going to do my best. I also have friends who can help. I can’t do it alone. Also, there’s a spirit here that won’t let you leave. I have heard him telling me to go away.”

  “It’s the evil man from the big house. He killed me with something he called medicine. I didn’t know him. We were all killed by them.”

  “Them, there was more than one?” Kellie asked.

  “Yes, I was taken to the big house by a strong man and his brother. We all were. You have to know our stories. It is terrible. I don’t like it here.”

  “Katrina May, I will do my best to find out what happened to you and the others. I will also find a way to fight the evil spirit still here,” Kellie said.

  “Help Andrew, too, please.”

  “Is he here with you?”

  “No, I see him with the evil man. The man won’t let him go. Please help us.”

  “I will, I promise.”

  Katrina May didn’t answer.

  It had stopped raining, and Marilyn was on the road at the top of the hill. Kellie joined her. “Did you hear all of that?”

  “Yes, it broke my heart. Let’s go home,” Marilyn pleaded.

  Chapter Fourteen

 
; Marilyn waved at her friends as they drove down the driveway and headed toward home. She turned and walked back to the house glancing in the direction of the cemetery. She whispered, “I can’t wait for Kellie to come back and take care of the spirits. They should be at peace, and I hate the idea of an evil spirit existing so close. I pray she rids the cemetery of all of them.” Pulling her sweater tighter around her, she hurried into the house.

  The two weeks Kellie had spent with her flew by too fast. Spring had finally arrived, and Marilyn could hear a few birds chirping and squirrels scurrying around the yard. She felt lonely being isolated at the top of the hill. Maybe she should visit her mom and dad in town. No, she would have to tell them about the journal. They would worry and insist she see the psychiatrist again. She was an adult and a successful writer. Her dad would suggest she write something besides supernatural mysteries and thrillers. He might be right, but it’s what she loved to write. Marilyn hurried into the house and locked the door behind her. She checked all the locks to be sure she was safe and sat down at her desk to write.

  #####

  Kellie filled Taylor in on what she had experienced, and Taylor was excited about visiting the Carnfelder estate.

  “I didn’t think you’d want to go anywhere near a ghost after your experience with Thomas the ghost in the Gotz Manor dungeon,” Kellie said.

  “He was maniacal and if the Carnfelder nephew is the same, I’ll know what to expect. Hunter won’t be happy. He’s still apologizing for being possessed by Thomas’ spirit as if he had a choice.”

  “Hmm,” Kellie said. “Do you think Hunter will want to come with us?”

  “No, but he won’t let me go alone,” she glanced at Kellie her brown eyes dancing with mischief. “If he gives me a problem, I’ll just threaten to dye my red hair brown. That always works.”

  Kellie laughed, and the two young women enjoyed their drive back to Malone Springs.

  Taylor reminded Kellie that Cole and Andrea were coming to dinner, and she should come over before six.

  “I will, I can’t resist Hunter’s barbequed ribs and chicken,” she answered and she pulled her suitcase from the trunk.

  #####

  Kellie rolled her suitcase to the bottom of the stairs and walked through the kitchen to the patio doors. She opened the door and before she could call him; Rufus was barking and bounding up onto the deck. She squatted down to pet him and in his excitement he knocked her over. They both lay on the kitchen floor with Kellie laughing and Rufus barking.

  “You missed me, didn’t you?”

  Rufus jumped up, ran around her twice and dropped on top of her licking her face. She struggled to get to her feet and after a few minutes of petting Rufus settled down. He walked to the patio door and barked.

  “All that excitement and now you need to go out,” Kellie smiled as she watched Rufus run into the back yard. “It’s good to be home.”

  Rufus returned with a scraggly brown bear. “It looks as if Hunter bought you another toy.” He dropped it at Kellie’s feet and barked.

  She turned and saw the answering machine. The red light was blinking. Randy’s mom had never returned her call. Maybe she left a message this time. Kellie was apprehensive when she hit the messages button. There were four messages, but none from Mrs. Jensen. They were all from friends wondering how she was feeling after fainting in church.

  Kellie heard a quiet knock at the patio door. It was Taylor.

  “Hi, I thought you’d want your mail before tonight. There is so much. People care about you a lot.” Taylor smiled.

  “Thanks,” Kellie said as she closed the door and looked at the stack of mail.

  There were a few bills and twenty-three card size envelopes. “I think they’ll be condolence cards. At least people aren’t writing about helping them with spirits. I find enough on my own.”

  Eighteen of the twenty-three cards were from people she hadn’t seen in years. One was from a reporter in Oakland who had interviewed her after the Children’s Charity Christmas Ball. She tore open the envelope to read condolences and his apology if he were intruding. He had seen her at the funeral with Marilyn and wanted to send his card since they had a mutual acquaintance.

  Kellie called Marilyn and asked her if she knew Stan Rudolph.

  “Yes, he was the one I told you about. We were getting close and then he left town.”

  Kellie explained about the card. “Oh goodness,” Marilyn said, “He must have seen me at Randy’s funeral. I’m glad I didn’t see him. I still have a few feelings for him.”

  “I understand. I thought I’d let you know someone here noticed you and I wanted to be sure he was on the up and up. I received a lot of weird mail after the inheritance and the stories about my grandfather’s spirit.”

  “No problem. I can’t wait until you visit again.”

  “I’m going to Taylor’s this evening. If we make plans, I’ll call. Take care.” Kellie hit the cancel call bar and wondered how many feelings Marilyn still had for Stan and if he had any for her.

  #####

  Kellie let Rufus out into the yard and walked to Taylor’s patio and knocked on the door. Hunter opened it and hugged Kellie. “I missed you. C’mon in.”

  “I might stay on the deck and enjoy the aroma from the barbeque. It smells wonderful and making me hungry,” Kellie smiled as she walked into the house.

  “Hi,” Taylor said. “I have lots of munchies and finger foods while we wait for Hunter to finish the meat and baked potatoes. Help yourself.”

  Kellie dipped a carrot in the ranch dressing when she heard the doorbell ring. Taylor hurried to let Andrea and Cole into the house. Cole was carrying a large bowl.

  “I told you that you didn’t need to bring anything,” Taylor said.

  Andrea answered, “It’s a bowl of fresh fruit from the organic market. I love their fruit and seem to be eating a lot lately. I’m trying to wean Cole off chips and onto fruit that he rarely eats.”

  Cole set the bowl on the counter, removed the lid, and popped a piece of fruit in his mouth.” He grinned at Andrea. “Happy now?”

  “Yes, I am. Thank you.” Andrea winked at Cole.

  Hunter brought the meat and potatoes in and set the platter on the table.

  Taylor announced, “Dinner’s ready. Fill your plates from the food on the counter and sit at the table. I can’t wait for the grilled chicken and ribs.”

  The five friends sat and ate while talking about what they had been up to while Kellie was on vacation. Kellie filled them in on the strange happenings near Marilyn’s, and Taylor became more excited about visiting the Carnfelder estate.

  Hunter as expected was apprehensive, but stopped short of telling Taylor she had to stay home. “Ask Cole, I’ll bet he doesn’t want Andrea near any haunted house either after what happened to all of us at Gotz Manor. Well, do you Cole?”

  “No, but that’s because we’re pregnant.” Cole grinned.

  “Cole Burnett, we decided to wait another month before telling people,” Andrea exclaimed.

  “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. Forgive me. I know we decided, but it just came out. I won’t tell another living soul until you decide it’s time. They won’t tell. We’re all best friends,” Cole stammered as he pouted and looked into Andrea’s eyes.

  Andrea began to laugh. “How can I stay upset with that face? Of course, I forgive you. Don’t tell anyone else especially my mom. She’ll start to hover.”

  “I promise,” Cole winked.

  Kellie and Taylor caught Cole’s excitement and began talking saying practically the same things.

  Andrea’s face turned somber, and she spoke to Kellie, “I didn’t want to say anything too soon. I am only two months along, and I was worried it would bring up bad memories for you.”

  “Andrea, please don’t ever let my loss get in the way of your joy. I’m thrilled for you.” Kellie smiled at Andrea.

  Kellie knew that Andrea and Cole would not accompany her and Marilyn to the Carnfelder estate.
She had her doubts about Hunter and Taylor until she heard Hunter finally agree.

  “I suppose the odds of dealing with a maniacal spirit kidnapping Taylor and a second that inhabits the essence of the house again would be astronomical. We can handle a plain, ordinary ghost like your grandfather any day.” Hunter laughed, but Kellie heard a bit of tension in his voice.

  “Great,” Kellie said. “We can go next weekend if you’re free and Cole and Andrea can watch Rufus, please. I hate putting him in a kennel unless I need to since I think he still misses Randy. He ran all over the house barking when I came home. I think he was looking for him.” She sat picking at her thumbnail.

  “We know you miss him, too even if marriage wasn’t in your plans,” Andrea’s soft voice brought both a smile to Kellie’s face and a tear to her eyes.

  “I do miss him, but talking with Marilyn made me realize it wasn’t my fault. His fall was accidental. Randy didn’t jump and knowing him he hadn’t given up. He would have been at my door that night trying to fix things if …” her voice trailed off.

  Silence had blanketed the room for a moment before Cole spoke up, “You asked if we’d take Rufus and of course we will.”

  “We now have a fenced in back yard. The day I found out I was pregnant; Cole called and arranged to have a fence built in the back yard. He was worried business would pick up with the warm weather, and we wouldn’t have a fence for the baby.” She began to laugh. “This is going to be a winter baby due after Thanksgiving. We have all year and next before we worry about the fence.”

  Cole sat back, crossed his arms and said, “I like to be prepared.”

  The enjoyable banter continued for another hour before Kellie said she was tired and was heading home.

  “I had a great time, but I’m tired. My own bed is going to feel wonderful. I also want to call Marilyn and let her know we’ll be there next weekend. C’mon Rufus, time for home. Thanks again.” She hugged everyone and headed home with Rufus.

  #####

  A quick call from Kellie cemented the plans for next weekend. Beginning to feel hungry, Marilyn realized she’d been writing for over three hours. She prepared soup and a sandwich for dinner, and sat down to watch the evening news. She watched a sitcom and a two hour police drama. Taking notes to inspire her writing, she grew tired.